Queenslander Chris Vermeulen has opted to sit out Sunday’s second round of the Superbike World Championship after qualifying 20th.
The factory Kawasaki rider rode for over 30 laps in the first practice and qualifying sessions yesterday and gained many positive insights into his Ninja ZX-10R race machine.
Pain from his knee injury, however, meant that he did not ride again today. It was decided he should not race tomorrow but the experience of Friday has filled Chris and the team with the confidence that he can undertake a full weekend of practice and race action at the next round, Assen.
“It was great to get the chance to ride here and we made the most of it on the first day,” he commented. “My knee is just too sore to ride any more this weekend but I hope to get some more track time in on my Ninja ZX-10R before the Assen round and do a complete weekend there.
“The new bike feels good and I have been able to start making changes to the handlebar position and so on, so the track time at Donington has been very useful.”